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.30 Carbine - M1 Winchester (18-inch barrel)

Warning! Notes: All chronograph figures taken with an Oehler Model 35P with the start screen at approximately 6 feet. Figures are averages of five shots. All group shooting was done in strings of five shots from a sandbag rest at 100 yards. All handloads used Remington brass and CCI 400 Small Rifle primers. Cast bullets were poured of Linotype alloy, sized to .310 inch, fitted with Lyman gas checks and lubed with SPG.

Source: Handloader Issue #257 – December, 2008

Cartridge History

.30 Carbine - M1 Winchester (18-inch barrel)

The .30 Carbine became one of America’s most recognizable military cartridges through its use in the Winchester-produced M1 Carbine during World War II. Designed to bridge the gap between a standard sidearm and a full-size battle rifle, the cartridge offered soldiers a lightweight, fast-handling firearm that was easier to carry while still providing far greater range and effectiveness than a handgun. Combined with the M1 Carbine’s compact dimensions and semi-automatic action, the .30 Carbine quickly proved popular among support troops, officers, vehicle crews, and airborne units.

When fired from the standard 18-inch barrel of the Winchester M1 Carbine, the .30 Carbine delivers the performance it was originally designed around. Typical 110-grain loads produce velocities near 2,000 feet per second, giving the cartridge mild recoil, relatively flat trajectory, and dependable reliability in the gas-operated rifle platform. The lightweight rifle and ammunition combination also allowed soldiers to carry substantially more ammunition compared to traditional battle rifle cartridges of the era.

Handloader Issue #257 discussed the .30 Carbine specifically in the standard 18-inch Winchester M1 platform, focusing on the cartridge’s wartime history and practical field performance. Handloaders working with the cartridge often favor powders such as H110 and Winchester 296 due to their ability to provide proper pressure curves and reliable cycling in semi-automatic carbines. Since the cartridge headspaces on the case mouth, proper case trimming and consistent cartridge dimensions remain important for dependable feeding and extraction.

Even decades after its military service, the Winchester M1 Carbine and .30 Carbine cartridge remain highly respected among collectors and shooters. Their lightweight handling, low recoil, and historical significance continue to make them one of the most enjoyable and recognizable military firearm combinations ever produced.

Source: Handloader Issue #257 – December, 2008

Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt.	Bullet	Powder Manufacturer	Powder	Charge	Velocity (FPS)
110	Speer JSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N110	Subscribe	1764
Remarks: variation (fps): 26; mild but functional
110	Speer JSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N110	Subscribe	1848
Remarks: variation (fps): 88; still mild
110	Sierra FMJ	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	1819
Remarks: variation (fps): 24; mild
110	Sierra FMJ	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	1866
Remarks: variation (fps): 44; still mild
110	Speer JSP	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	1723
Remarks: variation (fps): 112; mild and excess variation
110	Hornady FMJ	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	1869
Remarks: variation (fps): 102; excess velocity variation
110	Hornady JSP	Accurate	AAC-5744	Subscribe	1739
Remarks: variation (fps): 36; compressed but mild
115	cast roundnose	Vihtavuori	VV-N110	Subscribe	1825
Remarks: variation (fps): 24; poor accuracy
115	Redding/SAECO 302	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	1854
Remarks: variation (fps): 21; good groups with cast bullets
115	Redding/SAECO 302	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	1944
Remarks: variation (fps): 15; hottest cast bullet load
115	Redding/SAECO 302	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	1819
Remarks: variation (fps): 47; much better variation
115	Redding/SAECO 302	Accurate	AAC-5744	Subscribe	1718
Remarks: variation (fps): 53; perhaps best cast load